Restorative Yoga Fridays

The National Post just published an article on April 22nd, in relationship to the benefits for a restorative yoga practice. How appropriate to have an article like this come out just prior to our Restorative Yoga Friday class beginning on April 29th.

http://www.nationalpost.com/life/running/Yoga+minus+that+pesky+effort/4660996/story.html

Benefits of Restorative Yoga
Restorative Yoga focuses on relaxing the body in restful postures. Note that 'rest' is different than sleep. Rest provides the body an opportunity to renew and heal. Countless studies have proven the physical and emotional benefits of this.

Restorative yoga, as well as other forms of yoga, help to trigger the Parasympathetic nervous system also known as the PNS. The PNS is responsible for balancing the body and bringing its response system back into equalibrium. Stimulating the PNS helps to lower heart rate, blood pressure; it helps to healthily stimulate the immune system and keep the endocrine system operating healthily. When this system gets out of whack, or when the Sympathetic nervous system, SNS gets over-stimulated, the PNS helps to bring all back in balance. It is believed that is the PNS is tapped out or under-active, illness pervades. Thus, forms of relaxation, such as yoga and meditation, that help to stimulate the PNS are generally beneficial for overall body health.

We have 3 classes for Restorative Yoga on Fridays - April 29th, May 13th and May 27th from 4:15 - 5:15 pm. A great way to undo the stresses of your week and move into the weekend from a place that is tension free.

Studio Closures for Easter

Please note that the studio is closed for Easter, Friday April 22nd - Monday April 25th. Classes will resume on Tuesday April 26th.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend.

namaste,
Sharon, Bridget, Pam, Tracey, Paola, Courtney & Jane

No Classes on Friday April 15th

Just a reminder that the studio will be closed on Friday April 15th as the teachers will be at the Yoga Conference in Toronto.

Spring Session Begins

The Winter yoga session will be finished this week and we will begin our Spring session on Monday April 4th. Registration will be on-going as long as space permits. The schedule will be updated on-line early next week as it is tentative based on registration.
New offerings for spring include a 6 week Introduction to Meditation, Post Natal Yoga, and Finding Ease and Yoga Thrive are both returning for this new session. Paola will be starting a new 5 week Kundalini session April 7th and it is a great opportunity to experience the energy building practice of Kundalini.

Please call the studio for further information or to register.

Spring Session Registration

The new spring schedule has been mailed and is now posted on the website. Registration has begun and will continue as long as space permits. Please note that a post-dated cheque is required to hold a space in a class. It is best to call to make sure there is space in your class and then you have 7 days in which to confirm with a post dated cheque. If you would like further information about classes or to register please email or call the studio (705) 878-1212.

March Break Schedule

Please be aware that the studio will be closed for the March break beginning Saturday March 12th until Friday March 18th. There will a 2 classes running on Wednesday March 16th that were scheduled as "makeup" classes for a weather cancellation in February. Continuing Yoga at 6pm followed by Yin Yoga at 7:45 pm. Please feel free to come and use these as makeup classes for any classes you have missed this session if you are around. Classes will resume on Saturday March 19th at 8:30 am.

There are only 2 weeks left after the march break in which you can do your makeup classes. If you have any further questions, please feel free to give me a call.

Thank you,

Sharon

Yogathon 2011 for Schizophrenia

Many thanks to those who came out to support the "Peace of Minds" campaign through the SSO. We raised $370 this morning for this worthwhile cause! It is with much gratitude that I thank you for your generosity.

Blessings,
Sharon

A Sweet Ray of Light

It is with much sadness that I write this note. On Saturday, February 26th, we lost one of our fellow class yoginis who brought a ray of light into our studio, and into my life with her presence.

Rachel Spearing was a beautiful young woman who ventured into the studio 2 years ago. What a gift it was...to get to know her. Last year, it was with much pleasure that Paola and I participated in Rachel's first event for her Food for Heroes at Elysian Fields in Bethany. It was a spectacular day as we did our Nia, yoga'd and then ate an exquisitely presented & prepared organic lunch by Rachel. Her eyes truly sparkled as the painstaking planning resulted in a spectacular day. The joy we felt as we left was palpable. Her enthusiasm contagious. That day remains forever as a smile in my heart.

We would like to honour Rachel with a special meditation to be held at the studio on Saturday April 9th at 2:00 pm when the spring season arrives and the days are brighter. Spring was time for planting seeds for her wonderful garden ~ A time of renewal and rebirth.

She will be missed by all of us at the studio that knew her, but her spirit will shine on. I think about the chant Om Asatoma as I reflect her journey to another path beyond.

Asatoma Sat Gamaya
Tamasoma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityorma Anritam Gamaya
Lead me from the unreal to the Real
Lead me from the darkness to the Light
Lead me from the temporary to the Eternal

Sending love & healing light to those who are mourning sweet Rachel,

May the longtime sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure, pure light that's within you
Guide your way home

om shanti.

Sharon


Visitation at Victoria Park Armoury, 210 Kent St. West, Lindsay on Friday March 4th from 10:00 am until the time of service to Celebrate Rachel’s Legacy at 2:00 pm

4 week Kundalini Yoga Session

We will be starting Kundalini classes next Thursday at 9:15 - 10:45 am for a 4 week session (March 3rd~March 31st). Cost is: $62.00. There are still a few spots available if you are interested in trying this energy moving practice. Please contact the studio for further information.

Kundalini Yoga is a dynamic system combining breathing, movement, stretching meditation, the use of sound and rhythm, relaxation and meditation. Each class usually entails spine and flexibility warm-ups, a specific sequence for the energy or day at hand, and a relaxation and meditation. There are many exercise sets and meditations in this system. A typical class includes 6 major components: 1) tuning-in with the Adi Mantra, 2) pranayam or warm-up, 3) kriya, 4) relaxation, 5) meditation and 6) close with the blessing song, “May the Long Time Sun Shine Upon You”.

"The kundalini experience does not mean you have gone into a deep breathless trance and are beyond this world. … It integrates you more fully with reality and gives you a broader vision and sensitivity so that you can act more efficiently." ~ Yogi Bhajan

2011 Yogathon for Schizophrenia

path to stillness yoga studio will be hosting a Yin/Restorative class on Saturday March 5th from 10:15 - 11:30 am in support of the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario's Yogathon 2011. As this is based on donations, I am requesting a minimum donation of $10.00 for the class. Cheques may be made payable to Schizophrenia Society of Ontario and tax receipts will be issued for donations over $10 by SofO. 100% of class proceeds are donated to this worthwhile cause. Please contact the studio to register as space is limited.
Remember that access to the studio is via the centre lobby by the Early Years Centre.

Come practice yoga and help promote peace of mind.

Yogathon for Schizophrenia 2011

The Yogathon for Schizophrenia benefits the Peace of Minds youth engagement initiative, which helps youth and youth workers identify the signs and symptoms of psychosis; understand the importance of getting help early; and encourages them to fight the stigma associated with schizophrenia by speaking out against myths related to the illness.

path to stillness yoga studio will be participating in this fundraiser on Saturday March 5th. Further details of class time will be posted later this week. 100% of class proceeds are donated to this worthwhile cause.

Come practice yoga and help promote peace of mind.

Workshop on Core Stability

Join Pam this Sunday, February 20th from 9:00 -11:00 am in a workshop focusing on Yoga for the Core. It is never too late to work on developing your core stability. The morning is designed to allow you to learn about your "core" muscles; how to find them; how to activate them; how to strengthen and tone them through an introduction to a series of hatha based asanas. If you are new to yoga, or have been practicing for years, you can enjoy applying this new knowledge and exploration to your practice. A handout will be given.
If you are interested in joining Pam, please contact the studio to register.

Please note that the workshop time has changed from the printed winter brochure.

Postponement of Living with Fibromyalgia Workshop

Unfortunately we have decided to postpone the Living with Fibromyalgia workshop scheduled for Sunday March 6th. We remain committed to presenting quality workshops on relevant health issues facing those in our community and will reschedule at a future date.

Kundalini Yoga Workshop

Just a reminder that Paola will be running a Kundalini Workshop this Sunday February 6th at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm at the studio. The workshop is open to all levels of experience. Kundalini Yoga is a dynamic system combining breathing, movement, stretching meditation, the use of sound and rhythm, relaxation and meditation. This is a great way to work with the February Blues and get energy moving from within the body. There are still a couple of spots available so please contact the studio for further information or to register.


"The kundalini experience does not mean you have gone into a deep breathless trance and are beyond this world. … It integrates you more fully with reality and gives you a broader vision and sensitivity so that you can act more efficiently."
~ Yogi Bhajan

Further Cancellations

At 4 pm the snow is continuing to fall and roads are not great, even in town.
I think it best to cancel the evening Hatha Class at 6pm and the Yin Class at 7:45 pm tonight, Wednesday February 2nd for safety. These 2 classes will be rescheduled on Wednesday March 16th, (where the studio has an open day). Take some time this evening to find a quiet space and do something that nurtures you.

Safe Travels. See you next week.

Sharon

Weather & Class Cancellations

Well, not sure if was "Snowmaggedon" but it definately was weather!
As of 10:30 am this morning, Wed. February 2nd, the only class that will be cancelled today, so far, is the 4:30 pm Nia class. The makeup class will be scheduled for March 9th.

The 1:00 pm General class is still scheduled to run and I will address the 2 evening classes later today based on weather conditions. If cancelled, I will post on the website (blog) ~ As there is the option of doing makeup classes throughout the session, if you are coming from out of town please consider this option if you have any concerns about road conditions.

Stay Warm.

Developing a Home Yoga Practice Workshop

Join Bridget this Sunday, January 23rd from 9:30 - 11:30 am for a workshop on Developing a Home Yoga Practice. Have you ever gotten home and decided to do some yoga only to feel that you can't remember what you do in class?

Join Bridget in this workshop to explore the tools needed to create a home yoga practice: setting up a space, sequencing a basic practice, developing a practice habit and discussing ways to overcome resistance to sustaining a home practice. Developing a personal yoga practice is a way to grow, reconnect with yourself and find your own rhythm. Let 2011 be the year to bring your yoga home.
All levels welcome. Handout will be given.

Entry to Studio & Winter Footwear

For those of you who are new to the studio, please note that the studio is accessed by the centre doors off the parking lot (beside the Ontario Early Years). There is a lobby with an elevator and stairwell that you may use to access the second floor where the studio is located.

It has caused some confusion as the studio name is on an "exit" door beside
Homestead Oxygen, off the east parking area. This is signage only as the studio is located at the back of the building. There is NO ENTRY to the second floor through this door as it is locked and used for exit only.

Due to excess salting of the parking area during winter, we ask that all footwear be removed prior to entry of the studio suite #204 and placed in the boot trays. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

pts yoga studio

Welcome Back!

The winter class session begins Monday January 10th, 2011. Time to nurture ourselves during the winter season. Registration for all classes will be on-going as long as space permits. Drop in options are available only if space allows.

Please feel free to send an email or give a call if you areinterested in any of our class or workshop offerings.For those of you who work shifts,we try to accomodate your schedule when possible between 2 classes that will work for you. Looking forward to seeing you all back on the mat.

Ja'Bhagwan

Sharon, Bridget, Tracey, Pam & Paola

Wishes for a New Year

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

Ralph Waldo Emerson


Namaste on this first day of 2011. The New Year is opening in our lives, our hearts and our souls. It is never too late to be what you want to be. Is there something you wish for yourself, for others and for this planet? We can all begin to make changes in our small corner of the world, beginning with one gesture, one word and even one thought. If you have been struggling this past year, it may be time to reassess the path you were following. Try something different, explore something new, find your edge and see what transpires.

With Blessings to all for a year of good health, increased awareness of self and personal peace.

path to stillness yoga studio